Ten Great Attributes Of A Zambezi Multi-Day Trip

A Zambezi whitewater rafting trip, need not last just the traditional, one day. Adventures further down river reward rafters with stunning views, remote campsites, more challenging white water than the day trip, plus the chance, depending on which trip you choose to see wildlife at close range. On a 7 day trip to Matetsi river mouth, frequently our rafting guests get to see crocodiles and hippopotamus amongst the braided sections. Then prepare yourself for the thrill of a lifetime, getting a flight back to Livingstone, via the magnificent Victoria Falls. You get to start your trip below one of the Seven Natural Wonders Of The World. You don’t have to walk out of the Batoka Gorge You get to camp on amazing HUGE sandy beaches Trips are run in the “dry” season. You won’t get rain (in general!) but you will get VERY wet in the amazing rapids You can choose to go on safari to Chobe National Park, where you can get to see some of the best wildlife is Southern Africa. You can get to choose to do some incredible adventures in and around Livingstone, such as walking with Cheetahs, lions or doing an elephant walk. You get … Continue reading →

Amazing place to start your trip, beneath Victoria Falls

A Must Do On The Zambezi River – Devils Pool On Livingstone Island

On our Zambezi white water rafting trips, many guests ask us what activities are simply a “must do”. Before of after your rafting on the Zambezi river, a trip to Livingstone Island should be a priority. The place where Dr David Livingstone set eyes on Victoria Falls or Mosi Oa Tunya as they are known in the local Bemba dialect has long been a draw for travelers for it’s un-rivalled views of the falls. Many people including the owner of Water By Nature, Hamish got married on the island. In the low water season however (from approximately August – November) visitors can bring swimwear and swim on the edge of the falls guarded by a rock lip and your guides, in what is, the worlds MOST IMPRESSIVE infinity pool! We recommend an afternoon excursion to Livingstone Island and all of our guests receive a complimentary transfer to and from The Royal Landing at The Royal Livingstone Hotel where the trip departs from. No matter whether you are flying in from the United States, the UK or Europe, this is one trip, not to be missed.

The REAL Zambezi Legends

So many stories come out about the Zambezi River, the flips, the swims, the campsites the helicopter flight back to town, but there are some hidden gems in this place that make the trip unique and above all, possible. Mukuma and our team of legendary porters carry all our equipment into and out of the river before and after your trip. The rafts are rolled into a “sausage” and the lads run the 750 feet into the gorge as if it were flat. Once the rafts, lunch, stern frames and safety equipment are in, the crew dash back to our vehicles and are transported to Rapid number 10 (our first overnight camp at Songwe Point) and carry in all the camping equipment for our expedition. Many people have trouble walking this steep trail with wooden steps down to the river as we saw with some of the Comic Relief participants, but Mukuma and his team do an average of 6 trips each to get all the gear into the camp by the time the guests have finished rafting their first day. If guests are doing one of our 4 day river trips, the Zambezi Blast and Ultimate Adventure, the porters … Continue reading →

Comic Relief Zambezi Hell And High Water Challenge

It was so great to see one of our favourite rivers in the world featured as part of Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day Challenge on BBC1 on 14th March. An amazing effort on the part of the celebrities to raise in excess of £1,100,000. The Zambezi Challenge saw celebrities Jack Dee, Dara O’Briain, Chelsee Healey, Radio 1 DJ Greg James, Spice Girl Melanie C and Olympian Phillips Idowu paddle more than 100km down the Mighty Zambezi River. Given the time of year chosen to run the challenge, the participants paddled mainly above Victoria Falls as at that time of year the rapids from Number 1-10 are considered too dangerous. The optimum time to raft the Zambezi River is from August until November in the “dry season” when the river is low, the weather hot and the gorge is not as green as we saw it on Comic Relief. Water By Nature have been offering charity events on the Zambezi for more than 15 years, working with Guide Dogs, Breast Cancer, Lupus to name just a few. If you’d like to fundraise for your preferred charity the longest serving Charity Event Organiser on the Zambezi, Global Adventure Challenge can assist you … Continue reading →

Dr David Livingstone’s Bicentenary 2013

Agreed by many as one of the most influential explorers of the Victorian era, Dr David Livingstone holds a special place in the history of Africa and in particular his memorable words when he first laid eyes on what he named Victoria Falls (Mosi Oa Tunya in the local Bemba language) “A sight so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” March 19th 2013 is the Bicentenary of Dr David Livingstone’s birth in Blantyre and what an opportunity to explore one of the rivers at the forefront of his travels as the Mighty Zambezi. Livingstone was the first European Explorer to travel across trans continental Africa from Luanda to Mozambique. He was a light traveller and this gave him extra kudos with local Chiefs, as well as his reassurances that he was not a threat. The British backed his second expedition to the Zambezi, however he was unable to safely navigate the Cabora Bassa rapids in Mozambique, which he had not seen on his first trip to the region. Despite being viewed as a “failure” by many back in the UK, the trip was a very worthwhile project for the scientists working with Livingstone to collect … Continue reading →

Ten Great Adventures After Your Zambezi Rafting Holiday

If you have chosen to raft the Zambezi River for your next adventure holiday, you have made a wonderful choice. What we’d like to share with you now are some of the amazing adventures you can take part in either before or after your rafting trip. It can sometimes offer a reduction in the cost of your flight if you fly out a day or two earlier to Livingstone in Zambia from either the UK or the United States. We’d like to point out some wonderful adventures you can take part in: 1. The “Devils Pool” on Livingstone Island: One of the best and most iconic activities on offer. Swim in the world’s most impressive “infinity pool” right on the edge of Victoria Falls. This activity is only open during low water (August – November) and includes a visit to Livingstone Island. 2. Cheetah Encounter: Many guests have rated this as one of the highlights of their trip. You’ll be collected from you hotel and be taken to the Cheetah centre where they work with this endangered species. Take one for a walk! 3. Lion Encounter: Walk in the bush with African Lions. No leashes or restraints and no enclosures. … Continue reading →

The Zambezi Legend Of Nyaminyami

With the BT Comic Relief #HellAndHighWater #Zambezi Challenge underway today, we hope all the celebrities are wearing their Nyami Nyami pendants for good luck. The Zambezi river god has long been talked about by the locals and the many thousands of people who have safely navigated the Zambezi River. The Tonga people believe that Nyami Nyami is responsible for bringing water to their crops and fish for them to eat. Legend has it that Nyami Nyami (literally meaning Meat Meat) would show himself during the dry season and allow meat to be cut from his body during times of need. During construction of the Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe, thousands of Tonga people had to be relocated. The tribes people were not happy about this and the elders called upon their great spirit for help. In 1957 and 1958 the Zambezi River received the worst floods in the last 100 years, believed to be the work of Nyami Nyami. They were so severe that the spill gates had to be increased from 4 to 6. Nyami Nyami became trapped above the dam wall and his wife below. The locals believe his anger is causing havoc to this day. Believing in the … Continue reading →

Comic Relief Hell And High Water On The Zambezi

As was announced on the Greg James show on Radio One, he’ll be joined by Dara O’Briain, Jack Dee, Philips Idowu, Mel C and Chelsee Healey for a trip down the Zambezi River to fund raise for Comic Relief. Due to the high water levels experienced at this time of the year, the participants will be mainly running the Upper Zambezi, above Victoria Falls from Sekoma Island to Livingstone Island and finishing off with a high water rafting run from Rapid 10-25. This is how the 100km over 5 days will be made up. Day 1: Sekoma Island to Nan Pen Island Day 2: Nan Pen Island to Siandunda Day 3: Siandunda to Thorntree Day 4: Thorntree to Livingstone Island Day 5: Rapid 10 – 25 On the upper river the main threat to the celebrities will be hippos and crocs plus fatigue. The weather at this time of the year is hot and wet, and they’ll want to mind those rash’s! On the lower river, the celebrities will tackle big water rapids such as The Mother and The Washing Machine and Oblivion. What a great cause this is for and lets get behind the team and raise as much … Continue reading →

Zambezi River Rafting

It can be hard to put just how amazing the Zambezi is, into mere words. It is an experience and a journey from start to finish. The fourth largest river in Africa, the Zambezi tumbles over Victoria Falls in a giant cascade that is over one mile wide in the rainy season. Not the highest waterfall in the world, but as one of the Seven Natural Wonders Of The World, certainly the most spectacular. Beneath the falls is the Batoka Gorge, home to one of the best one day and multi-day stretches of whitewater anywhere in the world. Starting in the aptly named “Boiling Pot” beneath the falls, the Zambezi has spectacular rapids such as Stairway to Heaven, Gullivers Travels and the Midnight Diner, all in the first day. If you decide to raft on a multi-day trip, you’ll be treated to huge and gorgeous world class sandy beaches to sleep on at night. The guides prepare wonderful meals before you fall asleep on the beach either in your comfy tent, or why not sleep out in your million star hotel. No bugs, make this a popular choice for our guests. On a multi-day rafting trip on the Zambezi, you … Continue reading →

The World’s Premier Rafting Destination – The Zambezi River

So if you have ticked off some of the big adventures around the world such as hiking up Kilimanjaro, hiking the Inca Trail, then make 2011 the year to raft the world’s premier rafting destination, the Zambezi River, Zambia. So what is it that makes the Zambezi, so special? Is it the big warm water? Yes! Is it the amazing sandy beaches you get to camp on every night? Absolutely! Is it because anyone from 16 – 75 can do this trip? Yes, as a matter of fact we have a 70 year old lady booked on this year for a trip to celebrate her birthday. And the BEST BIT? You don’t have to walk out of the gorge on that nasty walk on our trips, you’ll be flown back to Livingstone and over Victoria Falls by helicopter! Our trips start in the mist beneath the Victoria Falls with lunch on the first day and a real sense of what a spectacular setting you are in. Contrary to popular myth the Zambezi is not a particularly difficult river and you can easily negotiate the trip and not flip. The biggest rapids tend to be on the multiday section of the … Continue reading →